The Society of British Dental Nurses (SBDN) has announced its next president, chair and patron.

Clare Faulkner, a dental nurse matron at Birmingham Dental School, has been announced as SBDN’s next president, with an extensive portfolio in dental nursing. She was previously the principal dental nurse at The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust and the lead dental nurse lecturer at Walsall College.

Clare holds a Cert Ed, assessing and quality assurance qualifications, and an extensive post-registration portfolio of qualifications, awards and additional duties. She has undertaken volunteer work in schools and nurseries whilst continuing to work in general practice as a sedation lead in implantology.

Clare said, "I am privileged to be part of this collective journey and forward-thinking organisation that is flexible and adaptable to the needs of the profession and our members. I express my words of gratitude for your trust, we can only achieve a lasting impact collectively and I hope to continue the work that has already been started and I will continue to forge excellent relationships with like-minded professionals, whilst striving for excellence.”

The society also announced Lisa Davies-Andrews as its chair. Lisa is currently a sedation lead dental nurse and senior dental nurse at Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust and is passionate about special care dentistry and oral care for the most vulnerable in society, namely those who are homeless.

Lisa served with the Army in the Gulf War from 1990 to 1991 and was based at the Woolwich Arsenal Military Hospital. She then served in Germany for many years. After leaving the military, Lisa took up a role in general practice, eventually moving into the community setting. She also gained post-registration qualifications in special care, radiography, oral health, and sedation and has been involved in teaching.

In 2022, Lisa was awarded the Robin Davies research grant and ‘found SBDN'. Her research will provide resources for parents and carers for those caring for children with ADHD. Lisa became the charity lead for the society and supported the editorial team. She has become more extensively involved in SBDN and has co-led the ‘Sexual Misconduct at Work’ with Clare.

The society has also announced Elaine Tilling as a patron. Elaine began her career in dentistry as a dental assistant (nurse) in 1978. In 1982, she became a dental hygienist while serving in the RAF, where she became an officer commanding dental hygienist training for the three armed services. Elaine served for 25 years at home and abroad. She was the first woman and dental hygienist to be awarded the Lean Memorial Award, typically given to dentists in the RAF.

Elaine has been a huge advocate and supporter of dental nurses and dental nursing. Elaine commented, “This is the icing on the cake after a wonderful career in dentistry.”

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